Absorption of IgG does not enhance toxoplasma IgM and IgA immunoblotting

Jean M W Chatterton1, D Walkingshaw1, A W L Joss1

  • 1Microbiology Department, Raigmore Hospital NHS Trust, Inverness IV2 3UJ.

Total IgG, IgM and IgA levels and toxoplasma IgG, IgM and IgA immunoblotting patterns were assayed in 10 sera before and after IgG absorption with Protein G-Sepharose 4. Removal of IgG (mean reduction 96%) was accompanied by a significant reduction in the level of IgM (mean reduction 56%) and IgA (mean reduction 53%) in nine of the 10 sera. The absorbed supernates showed fewer and weaker IgM bands in five sera, but IgA immunoblotting patterns were unaffected by absorption. There was no benefit in removing IgG in toxoplasma IgM and IgA immunoblotting.

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